The work experience journey continues.

During my week at the Bluecoat display centre I received an email from the Atkinson Gallery inviting me to attend an interview for volunteer work. I met a lovely lady named Jemma Tynan who interviewed me and accepted my application to become a volunteer at the Gallery. I have to attend a health and safety induction day on the 1st of May and then I am good to start. I will be assisting with the documenting of a recently acquired costume collection as well as running some mini summer workshops.  My confidence has grown so much since my work experience journey began and I have made lots of new contacts and have quite a few new career avenues I may chose to explore in the very near future.

The Blue Coat Display Centre.

I am pleased to say that after several months of applying to various artists and establishments I was offered a weeks work experience at the Blue Coat Display Centre in Liverpool city centre.

I started on Monday 30th March and finished Saturday 4th April. I have had the most enjoyable week thanks to Maureen Brompton (Director of the Gallery) and her team, Sam, Fran, Kate and Dot.  They made me feel very welcome and were extremely generous in sharing their knowledge of what it takes to run a successful contemporary art gallery and shop.  I can not thank them enough for an amazing week.

I have learnt so much this week and I can honestly say it has been a real eye opener in more ways than one. I hope to share some of the things I experienced during this week in future post but before I  do so I need to do a 15 minute presentation as part of the requirements of this module all about my week. In the meantime here is a link to the Blue Coat Display Centre website. http://www.bluecoatdisplaycentre.com

Another glimmer of hope!

The Atkinson Gallery, Southport.

A few days ago I emailed and telephoned several local museums and galleries appealing for work experience. I also contacted the Textile Society in the hope that they may be able help me with my quest or at least point me in another direction. Alas the lady I spoke to said they where unable to assist me and unfortunately she was not a liberty to give out any of the artist details.

I have since received two emails, the first being from the Merseyside museums and galleries again saying sorry they could not help and the second one was from the Atkinson Gallery who also said the same. However, the gentleman who replied to me from the Atkinson Gallery (Stephen Whittle, Museum & Gallery Manager) suggested that I might be interested in becoming a volunteer. He even went as far as to send me a link to the application form.  After checking with my university lecturer to ensure that volunteering met the module criteria as work experience I filled in the application form and I am awaiting there reply. 

If you any of my readers would like to know more about the Atkinson Gallery please visit there website www.theatkinson.co.uk.

Rejection, reflection and plan of action.

Rejection:I am sorry to say that everything was not Hunkydory, sadly I did not receive a reply to my letter requesting work experience.  I telephoned the company several times over the last few weeks but was constantly told the person I needed to speak to was busy. I left my name, number and email address but nobody got back to me. I rang again Monday and asked for a email address that I may contact the person concerned but the lady on the phone asked me what my enquiry was regarding, I told her work experience and she said "oh no we don't do that".

Reflection: My initial reaction was anger and disappointment, not because I did not get any work experience but disappointment in the fact that they did not acknowledge my letter nor did anyone return my calls. In the past at this stage I would have, had a cry, spat my dummy out dug my heels in and given up.  However, I did none of the latter I decided to evaluate and analys the experince as a whole. In doing this it made me realise that I had more or less pinned all my hopes on this one company, when in reality I should have been looking at other options and other possibilities. So the next question I asked myself was "If I can not find work experience with in the craft design field what other career paths appeal to me"? I looked back at the very first questionnaire we where given in this module and I had written down three things "fabric designer , craft designer, curator", now I have a new starting point.

Plan of action:   Research local museums, galleries and establishments that hold exhibitions. Don't limit my sights on just textiles or design. Establish contact via email or in writing or visit in person. Maybe look a little further a field, Manchester, Preston and Lancaster. Look at my list of contacts, maybe they might be able to introduce me to other contacts or cenections. So let the journey begin.

I hope everything will be Hunkydory...

I am really excited as I have just posted off a cover letter and my CV to Hunkydory Crafts in Preston  asking for work experince in March.  It is a Paper Craft Business and stockist of some of the most amazing craft products on the market today. The magazine is a must for all crafters as it has the latest trends and new products in the world of card making and scrap booking. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that they will agree to accomodate me as it will give me a valuable insight into their design process. If like me you love all things craft check out their website and the lovely craft goodies they have to offer. www.hunkydorycrafts.co.uk

Teaching textiles.

This is the board inside Neston Community and Youth Centre advertising the textile classes.

Sue demonstrationgthe first stages of making fabric paper.

In my last post I mentioned Textile Artist and Teacher Sue Sercombe.  I contacted Sue via email explaining about my degree and the workplace module. A few days later Sue kindly offered to assist me by allowing me to shadow her through a new project she was about to begin with her students in Neston. Sue has been teaching textiles for over twenty years and it was a sheer pleasure and a joy to see her at work. Her wealth of knowledge in all things textile and mixed media is amazing.  I arrived at Neston Community and Youth Centre a little after nine o'clock which gave Sue and I time for a quick chat and introductions before the class got under way. The first thing on the agenda was a cup of tea or coffee for everyone. Then Sue went over the list of things students should have brought along for the class. There where a couple of things that some students did not have and Sue was able to provide them with these items. The atmosphere in the room was warm, friendly and very relaxed. You could see and feel each one of these ladies transporting themselves to a world of creativity, they where so emerged in the rhythmic flow of pasting tissue paper to muslin that a peaceful calm fell across the room. However, when it came to adding colour to the white fabric paper the atmosphere changed again and it became energised and exciting as vibrant reds, blues, greens and yellows where passed about. Through out the morning Sue answered all my questions and I gained so much from just observing her, how organised and prepared she was, both with equipment and knowledge. Sue has recently gone self employed and she was able to share the pros and cons of working for somebody or working for yourself. I can not thank Sue enough for all the help, support and advice she gave me and I look forward to seeing her and the ladies next week. If you would like to know more about Sue and the course she runs check out her eb site at http://www.texartcreative.com/

Ninnynoo and Esty

On Saturday the 1st November I attended an area day organised by the Quilters Guild of the British Isles. The speaker was a textile artist named Nichola Hulmson who has recently started her own business called "Ninneynoo". Nichola's work is very diverse and varied but what really came across was her passion for all things vintage.  Due to popular demand for her quirky childhood memory broaches, Nichola opened a Esty shop and has begun selling her pieces.  Nicholas business is in its infancy and unfortunately she was unable to offer me any work experience. However, she mentioned that she was part of a group of textile artist who meet every Friday in Neston and suggested I contact Sue Sercombe who runs the group.

After reading my friend Claire's post regarding her Esty Shop and encouraged by Nichola at the weekend, I have bitten the Esty bullet and opened my very own Esty shop.